“I get it. But we can’t just stop here. I have to keep going.”
“You’ll be cursed. You can’t just walk over the grave of fallen fae.”
“He’s right,” Wren said.
“The bones lead all the way to the water, how am I supposed to get over there?”
“If there was a clearing, I could take you.”
“No,” Fen said. “These are our brethren. Fae folk who have chosen to end their lives for whatever reason. None of their souls have been released.”
“Can you burn them?” I asked.
“No. Nope. Absolutely not.” Kai stepped backward. “Terrible, awful, bad idea.”
“Care to elaborate?” I lifted a brow to him.
“Lichen opened a book and a fucking banshee came out to play. You start lighting these bones on fire, I’m guessing something way worse is coming for us.”
“I’m open to suggestions, then.” I turned back to the water. “We’re going to have to cross that too.”
Fen dropped his pack to the ground. “We’ve had a really long few days. Let’s rest right here and see if we can figure it out in the morning.”
“Okay, but I’m not sleeping a wink.” Kai knelt to observe a cracked skull. “This is by far the freakiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I bet you a blind date you’re the first to fall asleep,” Greeve said with an ornery smile.
“Fuck that. Last time I lost a blind date bet, you set me up with a Crowl cousin. I’d rather have dinner with that guy.” He pointed to a full skeleton in the eerie pile.
“Counter?” Greeve asked.
“Fine, I’ll take the blind date bet, but if I win, I set your blind date, and you can’t back out this time.”
“When you’re done, children.” Fen tapped his foot on the ground.
“Yes, Dad?” they asked in unison.
Wren and I burst into giggles.
Fen scowled and looked at Greeve. “Are we out of food?”
“No. Almost. We have half a rabbit left and a bird.”
“Can you hold The Mists back so we have a bit of a clearing?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure how long, but sure.”
We spent the evening resting just inside the small clearing. Everyone took turns sleeping except for Kai, who watched the bone graveyard as if it would come to life, twisting the ring on his finger. I didn’t understand him fully. Kai was dangerous. Tall, broad shouldered, an absolute weapon on the battlefield. But that wasn’t who he really was. He was the guy who filled the uneasy silence with a laugh because it was how he dealt with awkward situations. As I laid on my back and watched the sky, I caught myself wondering about his life. What made him tick? Why was he terrified of bones, but not of killing someone?
I considered what I knew of Greeve. Strong, traditional, fiercely loyal to his friends. He had way more tattoos than the others, but I’d guess that each and every one had a story. A meaning. Greeve had a mysterious depth to him, but I found myself so grateful for his unwavering friendship. I wasn’t sure I’d done a single thing to deserve it, but he’d followed me blindly and would be the first to step between me and danger aside from Fen.
But then there was Fen, who had me more confused than anyone else. I knew the passion, the chemistry between us was raw and real and palpable. When it came to Fen, with his beautifully exotic completion and his deep, dark features, I was insatiable. There were times when I looked at him and thought I’d forget to breathe if I wasn’t careful. But why did I feel like I was forcing myself to trust him? Why did it feel like he and Wren were hiding something from me?
“Can’t sleep or won’t?” Kai came to sit beside me.
“Both.”
“Nervous about tomorrow?” He poked the fire with a stick.
